Insulation what is it made of

Mineral wool has an R-value ranging from R Cellulose insulation is perhaps one of the most eco-friendly forms of insulation. Cellulose is made from recycled cardboard, paper, and other similar materials and comes in loose form. Cellulose has an R-value between R Some recent studies on cellulose have shown that it might be an excellent product for use in minimizing fire damage. Because of the compactness of the material, cellulose contains next to no oxygen within it.

Without oxygen within the material, this helps to minimize the amount of damage that a fire can cause. So not only is cellulose perhaps one of the most eco-friendly forms of insulation, but it is also one of the most fire resistant forms of insulation. However, there are certain downsides to this material as well, such as the allergies that some people may have to newspaper dust.

Also, finding individuals skilled in using this type of insulation is relatively hard compared to, say, fiberglass. Still, cellulose is a cheap and effective means of insulating. While not the most abundant of insulations, polyurethane foams are an excellent form of insulation. Nowadays, polyurethane foams use non-chlorofluorocarbon CFC gas for use as a blowing agent. This helps to decrease the amount of damage to the ozone layer. They have an R-value of approximately R There are also low density foams that can be sprayed into areas that have no insulation.

These types of polyurethane insulation tend to have approximately R Another advantage of this type of insulation is that it is fire resistant. Polystyrene is a waterproof thermoplastic foam which is an excellent sound and temperature insulation material. The two types differ in performance ratings and cost. Polystyrene insulation has a uniquely smooth surface which no other type of insulation possesses. Typically the foam is created or cut into blocks, ideal for wall insulation.

The foam is flammable and needs to be coated in a fireproofing chemical called Hexabromocyclododecane HBCD. HBCD has been brought under fire recently for health and environmental risks associated with its use. Although the items listed above are the most common insulation materials, they are not the only ones used. Recently, materials like aerogel used by NASA for the construction of heat resistant tiles, capable of withstanding heat up to approximately degrees Fahrenheit with little or no heat transfer , have become affordable and available.

One in particular is Pyrogel XT. Radiant barriers are more effective in hot climates, especially when cooling air ducts are located in the attic. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system.

In cool climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation. Rigid fiber or fibrous board insulation consists of either fiberglass or mineral wool material and is primarily used for insulating air ducts in homes. It is also used when there's a need for insulation that can withstand high temperatures.

These products come in a range of thicknesses from 1 inch to 2. Installation in air ducts is usually done by HVAC contractors, who fabricate the insulation at their shops or at job sites. On exterior duct surfaces, they can install the insulation by impaling it on weld pins and securing with speed clips or washers. They can also use special weld pins with integral-cupped head washers. Unfaced boards can then be finished with reinforced insulating cement, canvas, or weatherproof mastic.

Faced boards can be installed in the same way, and the joints between boards sealed with pressure-sensitive tape or glass fabric and mastic. Liquid foam insulation materials can be sprayed, foamed-in-place, injected, or poured. Foam-in-place insulation can be blown into walls, on attic surfaces, or under floors to insulate and reduce air leakage.

Some installations can yield a higher R-value than traditional batt insulation for the same thickness, and can fill even the smallest cavities, creating an effective air barrier. You can use the small pressurized cans of foam-in-place insulation to reduce air leakage in holes and cracks, such as window and door frames, and electrical and plumbing penetrations.

Icynene plastic insulation blown into the walls of a home near Denver. Icynene fills cracks and crevices and adheres to the framing. Today, most foam materials use foaming agents that don't use chlorofluorocarbons CFCs or hydrochlorofluorocarbons HCFCs , which are harmful to the earth's ozone layer.

There are two types of foam-in-place insulation: closed-cell and open-cell. Both are typically made with polyurethane. With closed-cell foam, the high-density cells are closed and filled with a gas that helps the foam expand to fill the spaces around it. Open-cell foam cells are not as dense and are filled with air, which gives the insulation a spongy texture. The type of insulation you should choose depends on how you will use it and on your budget. While closed-cell foam has a greater R-value and provides stronger resistance against moisture and air leakage, the material is also much denser and is more expensive.

Open-cell foam is lighter and less expensive but should not be used below ground level where it could absorb water.

Consult a professional insulation installer to decide what type of insulation is best for you. Other available foam insulation materials include:.

Some less common types include Icynene foam and Tripolymer foam. Icynene foam can be either sprayed or injected, which makes it the most versatile. It also has good resistance to both air and water intrusion. Tripolymer foam—a water-soluble foam—is injected into wall cavities.

It has excellent resistance to fire and air intrusion. Liquid foam insulation -- combined with a foaming agent -- can be applied using small spray containers or in larger quantities as a pressure-sprayed foamed-in-place product.

Both types expand and harden as the mixture cures. They also conform to the shape of the cavity, filling and sealing it thoroughly. Slow-curing liquid foams are also available. These foams are designed to flow over obstructions before expanding and curing, and they are often used for empty wall cavities in existing buildings. There are also liquid foam materials that can be poured from a container. Installation of most types of liquid foam insulation requires special equipment and certification and should only be done by experienced installers.

Following installation, an approved thermal barrier equal in fire resistance to half-inch gypsum board must cover all foam materials. Also, some building codes don't recognize sprayed foam insulation as a vapor barrier, so installation might require an additional vapor retarder. Foam insulation products and installation usually cost more than traditional batt insulation. However, foam insulation has higher R-values and forms an air barrier, which can eliminate some of the other costs and tasks associated with weatherizing a home, such as caulking, applying housewrap and vapor barrier, and taping joints.

When building a new home, this type of insulation can also help reduce construction time and the number of specialized contractors, which saves money. Structural insulated panels SIPs are prefabricated insulated structural elements for use in building walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs. When installed properly, SIPs also result in a more airtight dwelling, which makes a house energy efficient, quieter, and more comfortable.

SIPs not only have high R-values but also high strength-to-weight ratios. A SIP typically consists of 4- to 8-inch-thick foam board insulation sandwiched between two sheets of oriented strand board OSB or other structural facing materials.

Manufacturers can usually customize the exterior and interior sheathing materials to meet customer requirements. The facing is glued to the foam core, and the panel is then either pressed or placed in a vacuum to bond the sheathing and core together. SIPs can be produced in various sizes or dimensions. Some manufacturers make panels as large as 8 by 24 feet, which require a crane to erect.

The quality of SIP manufacturing is very important to the long life and performance of the product. The panels must be glued, pressed, and cured properly to ensure that they don't delaminate.

The panels also must have smooth surfaces and square edges to prevent gaps from occurring when they're connected at the job site. Before purchasing SIPs, ask manufacturers about their quality control and testing procedures and read and compare warranties carefully. SIPs are available with different insulating materials, usually polystyrene or polyisocyanurate foam.

SIPs are made in a factory and shipped to job sites. Builders then connect them together to construct a house. For an experienced builder, a SIPs home goes up much more quickly than other homes, which saves time and money without compromising quality.

These savings can help offset the usually higher cost of SIPs. Many SIP manufacturers also offer "panelized housing kits. Fire safety is a concern, but when the interior of the SIP is covered with a fire-rated material, such as gypsum board, it protects the facing and foam long enough to give building occupants a chance to escape. As in any house, insects and rodents can be a problem. In a few cases, insects and rodents have tunneled throughout the SIPs, and some manufacturers have issued guidelines for preventing these problems, including:.

Boric acid-treated insulation panels are also available. These panels deter insects, but are relatively harmless to humans and pets. Because it can be very airtight, a well-built SIP structure may require controlled fresh-air ventilation for safety, health, and performance, and to meet many building codes.

A well-designed, installed, and properly operated mechanical ventilation system can also help prevent indoor moisture problems, which is important for achieving the energy-saving benefits of a SIP structure. Cellulose insulation can also be used in unfinished attic floors.

RetroFoam injection foam is made from a tri-polymer blend dry powder resin. As the resin mixes with a foaming agent and water, it transforms into RetroFoam insulation.

Looking much like shaving cream in its consistency, injection foam insulation will fill the nooks and crannies while making its way between wires and pipes when injected into existing walls. Much like injection foam, spray foam insulation has the same shaving cream consistency when it is sprayed. Cellulose insulation is made up of 75 to 85 percent recycled paper fiber — usually post-consumer waste newsprint.

The process for installing insulation varies depending on the type of insulation you are considering for your home. Injection foam can typically be injected into exterior walls from the outside. For homes with siding, pieces are removed to drill holes between the studs to inject the foam. The holes are then plugged and the siding put back on. For brick homes, holes are drilled through the mortar to inject the foam.

The holes are then filled in with mortar that is mixed on site. Injection foam can also be installed in concrete block walls used to fill the core of the blocks. Spray foam can be used to insulate open areas such as attics, rim joists, crawl spaces, and pole barns. In an existing home, before the spray foam can be installed any old insulation must be removed first. This gives the spray foam a clean surface to adhere to. The foam is sprayed into an open cavity where an open cell foam will expand up to times its original volume within seconds.

The installation is the same for closed cell, but it is much better suited for pole barns and commercial buildings. It's also important to note that closed cell has a much lower expansion rate when compared to open cell. Fiberglass insulation can be rolled and fitted between studs, joists, and beams during a remodel or new build.

It can be rolled out anywhere in your home, but it is best suited for covering long unobstructed areas like attics and crawl spaces. Fiberglass must be cut to fit the area where it is to be installed and then rolled out.